Recall, too, the SP's only RDC ("The Pocket Streamliner", its official name in TT's), operating between Oakland Mole and Sacramento (85.5 miles)......

"H.F.M."

HFM, this appears to be Train No. 4, the Redwood, operating northbound on SP subsidiary Northwestern Pacific. The line ran north from San Rafael through Santa Rosa, Ukiah, and Willitts to Eureka on the northern California coast. I rode this train once in the late 1960s-- by that time the RDC was running "solo," between Eureka and Willits (connections to the Bay Area were via Western Greyhound Lines). It was an interesting trip along the rugged Eel River Canyon and through the redwood groves.

On the northbound trip from Los Angeles, #75 made the same stops between San Jose and San Francisco, and arrived at the Third Street terminal during the morning rush hour at 8:30AM.......

(Source: "COMMUTER RAILROADS", By Patrick C. Dorin)

See:

HFM,, and Vern,

In the final few years before the railroads threw in the towel on long-distance passenger service, they probably accepted any passenger who was willing to purchase a ticket. In the Lark's heyday, of course, these "suburban" stops would have been "receive-only" outbound and "discharge-only" inbound; but by the 1960s they probably wouldn't turn their nose up at anyone (and I'll bet there were plenty of empty seats).

Just prior to Amtrak, my brothers and I would head down to Los Angeles' Union Station for a day of train-watching; and if we wished, a ticket agent would sell us a coach ticket to suburban Pasadena on the Grand Canyon (the all-stops "accommodation run"). It was faster (and cheaper!!) than the city bus. For the princely sum of fifty-two cents (probably a little under $3 in today's currency), we got to walk through the train gates and up to the platform, and board a Chicago-bound train and ride it for half an hour to Pasadena. It was, by far, the best deal in town.

Regards,

Norm

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Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #422 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 12:53am »

Norm.....

As always, greatly appreciate your participation and input!

Quite awhile back, I read that, sometime in the late 40's, there was a KEY SYSTEM strike, and some commuters got around this by catching SP through trains to Oakland Mole, and then riding the ferries into San Francisco.

Recall, by this time, it was nearly a decade since SP commuter service (via the "RED ELECRICS") had stopped operating to the Pier, and began running over the lower level of the Bay Bridge, and into the new Transbay Terminal, although only operating until 1941......

« Last Edit: Apr 23rd, 2012, 2:17am by NH_FL9_2017 »

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Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #427 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 7:07am »

NORM - HFM - All -

Ref.: ESPEE #75 & #76 - THE LARK. Guess older public Timetables their own reward? I was first in Northern California in 1965. So, I had missed the presence of the DAYLIGHT steam power on San Jose - San Francisco runs (i.e., the "Commute" line). Also, no "hard data" at hand about past practices with THE LARK.

Considering timing of schedules, with #76 possibly a few "local" riders on the SF - Burlingame - Palo Alto - San Jose points. In the mornings with #75, should have been no problem, as "long" through riders would alight at the intermediate stops.

The Bay Area "Commute" Line a bit of a political football, anyway. Surely, the ESPEE worked it so that actions would pacify the PUC...

Norm, and your Reply here dated 12:30a: Concur the photo of N W P #4. Does the photo catch them pulling a trailer with the RDC? BUDD did not approve of the practice.

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #428 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 9:28am »

Norm, and your Reply here dated 12:30a: Concur the photo of N W P #4. Does the photo catch them pulling a trailer with the RDC? BUDD did not approve of the practice.

.......................Vern.....................

Vern, you are correct. In fact, my eyes seem to see at least two trailers behind the RDC. This was a bit before my time-- I have no idea what configuration those trailers were (though they look, to me, to be of traction origin).

Over on the "Regional Area Operations" board, under "California," there is a thread titled "Redwood Country" that includes a couple of photos I took of this RDC in 1967 or 1968 at Willitts. Note the "bloody nose" that had been applied to the front, and the unusual "blind end" on the rear . . .

Two SP scenes at San Francisco, early 70's......

HFM -

Cars 2000 and 2119 characterized as HARRIMAN design. Seen on ESPEE, UPRR, IC Railroads. With these two ESPEE Cars (and IIRC) many, if not all, built at BETHLEHEM STEEL facility at South San Francisco, ca. 1926...

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #436 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 11:51am »

Vern.....

By the 1960's, similiar arch-roof coaches were being used by the ailing NYS&W; these cars were true wandering nomads, being built for the Boston & Albany, later being sold to the D&H, before finally coming down to the NYS&W for commuter service.

The road's Budd-built coaches were sold and replaced with these older. arch roof cars in the early 60's.

Though the road's RDC's (sold to the CNJ) were of course a/c'd, the NYS&W declined the option for the Budd coaches.

These virtually new locomotive-hauled cars were sold off to Saudi Arabia in 1961.....

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #437 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 12:59pm »

...By the 1960's, similiar arch-roof coaches were being used by the ailing NYS&W; these cars were true wandering nomads, being built for the Boston & Albany, later being sold to the D&H, before finally coming down to the NYS&W for commuter service...

HFM -

"Similar" appearance? But, precisely the same? HARRIMAN design peculiar to a short list of Western Lines. An Eastern Area exception in C & O, result of an influence of HARRIMAN money, also in the Newport News, VA Ship Yard.

Re: Through cars/commuter cars

« Reply #439 on: Apr 23rd, 2012, 1:04pm »

HFM -

"Similar" appearance? But, precisely the same? HARRIMAN design peculiar to a short list of Western Lines. An Eastern Area exception in C & O, result of an influence of HARRIMAN money, also in the Newport News, VA Ship Yard.

HARRIMAN types on Boston & Albany? Seen any Photo links on this one?

............................Vern...................

Vern........

By no means were the cars I mentioned precisley the same as the SP cars; by "similar", I was referring to overall design only, in that they were arch roof cars.

The CNJ (as I'd mentioned earlier) had a number of arch-roof "standard" commuter cars on the roster, but, by and large, the clerestory-roof stock made up the bulk of the CNJ's suburban fleet......